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Next summer's World Cup is finally starting to feel very real. While supporters can finally start planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in the US capital was not short of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between two of the world's best strikers and a playoff bracket promising a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people logged on keen to find out their team's group stage fixtures. However, despite the fact supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this one set a new standard.

Following acts by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

This led to further commentary and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the glitzy event initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to finish.

Moving On to the Actual Football...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a new round of 32. However, this increase in size has maybe resulted in the group stage being slightly diluted in overall strength.

There are very few fixtures between the traditional powerhouses. England's match with their 2018 semi-final opponents is the biggest theoretically. That is the only group fixture with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

Two Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Manchester City forward scored 16 times in qualifying matches to single-handedly carry his nation to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to come up against him in the last match of the group stage. Together with The Lions of Teranga, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the Premier League and La Liga will clash for the first time in on the global stage. Anticipate goals. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—and not for the first time. The two teams also opened the tournament in South Africa. That match, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a rasping second-half strike.

Another eye-catching fixture will see France once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the then-world champions back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have benefited from the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, awaiting them are former world champions, continental title-holders and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever play at a World Cup, will take on multiple winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a resident count of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be led by a former champion against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get really tasty, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and the French.

On the other side of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the last eight, where historic adversaries the Argentine and the Portuguese are set for a possible clash. It would depend on both Messi's team and Ronaldo's side winning their groups and navigating the early knockout rounds.

For England, a game against tournament hosts seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.